Surface decorating method and apparatus



Dec. 9 1936. e. VON WEBERN 2,065,545

SURFACE DECORATING METHOD AND- MPARATUS Filed April 25, 1935 5Sheets-Sheetfl gvwwwto rl 51/070 l/a/v Maze 5 Sheets-Sheet q G.'VONWEBERN.

SURFACE DECORATING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1955 Dec. 29,1936.

Eu/up Von Maze 136% 1936' G. VON WEBERN SURFACE DECORATING METHOD ANI?APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 61/100 Va/Y M55? Defl1936- 5. VON'WEBERN Q 2,065,545

' SURFACE DECORATING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed April 23, 1955 5Sheets-Shet 4 Dec. 29, 1936. VON WEBERN I 4 5 SURFACE DECORATING METHODAND APPARATUS I Filed April 23,1935 E Sheets-Sheet 5 gnaw 28 I Eu/00 MnMaze/y Patented Dec.- 29, 1936 UNITED STATES- SURFACE DECORATING METHODAND APPARATUS Guido von Webern, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to Oxford VarnishCorporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application April23, 1935, Serial No. 17,825

3 Claims. (01.101-154) may be replaced by a pattern roll of a differentdiameter, and the pattern transferred therefrom, 15 without altering themechanism, and in which only such adjustments are required as would berequired'when changing from one pattern roll to another pattern roll of/the same diameter.

Another object is to provide a surface decorating machine which willsmooth out the article to be decorated, so that articles, such as smallpieces of. leather and the like, may be decorated without danger offolding or creasing the article.

Another object is to provide a method and apparatus for applying colorto a decorating member, as, for instance, an etched pattern plate, insuch a manner as to prevent deterioration of the pattern plate orprinting member.

Other objects of the present invention will be- 30 come more apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the preferredform of mechanism forcarrying out the method.

In the drawings, Fig. 1' is a side elevation of a preferred form ofmechanism; Fig. 2 is a side 35 elevation of the opposite side of themachine from that shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a horizontal section takenalong the line 3-3 on Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a vertical section, asindicated by the line 4-4 on Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 5 is a sectional 40detail, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 55 on Fig.2; Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the relative position of the variousrolls; Fig. 7 is a sectional detail, illustrating one form of absolutestop-mechanism for the color 45 applicator roll; F18. 8 is'a diagramillustrating a step in the method used when decorating relatively smallflexible articles, such as leather, or the like.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and 50 first to Figs. 1 and 2,substantially all the major parts of the machine are supported on a pairof side frame members, as l and i2, which are connected together bycross-frame members ll. Supported on these side frame members are suit-55 able bracket arrangements for respectively supporting a pattern rollIS, a transfer or offset IS, an inking roll l'i, together with a platenroll i8.

The pattern roll may be an intaglio cylinder comprising a continuousetched copper plate, and

is arranged to contact with the surface of a transfer roll I6, whichpreferably comprises a continuous annulus of gum material, such ascongealed glue and glycerin. All of the rolls are removably arranged ontheir respective brackets 10 to permit them to be readily changed.

The transfer or offset roll is is shown as mounted on a suitable shaft20, carried adjacent its ends in suitable bracketmembers 2!, which arepivotally'mounted on a shaft 22, supported by the frame members it and{2. The rock arms are retained in their normal or active positions by aneccentric mechanism 25, hereinafter to be described in detail, but whichisengaged by a cam slot 26 in a pivoted lever 21. The lever is arrangedso that when the eccentric mechanism is in the left-hand portion of theslot, as shown in Fig. 2, the offset roll It will be in its activeposition, whereas, when the mechanism 25 is in the right-hand'portion ofthe slot 26, due to the 2 shifting of the lever about its pivot, theoffset roll i6 will be lowered from its active position.

This enables the gum roll to be moved free of the pattern roll [5, whichlies thereabove. A suitable spring-pressed plunger arrangement 28,carried by the lever 21, and arranged to engage openings 29 in the sideframe member to, serve to maintain the lever and therefore the roll 116in its active or inactive positions.

Each eccentric mechanism 25 comprises, as shown, in Fig. 5, a stud orrod 200 carried by its respective bracket member 2| and secured againstrelative rotation thereto by a squared end 2M. Rotatably mounted on eachstud is a sleeve 202 having-an eccentric portion 203 en- 40 gaging theslotted opening 26 in the respective lever 21. Hence, when the sleeve isturned by means of an enlarged head 204, the axis of the stud will bechanged, raising or lowering the coacting bracket 2| as desired. Afterthe eccentric sleeve has been adjusted, it is clamped as a unit with itsrespective bracket 2i by a clamping nut .208, which threadingly engagesthe outer end of the stud 200.

The platen roll i8 comprises a comparatively hard surface roller,.mounted on a suitable shaft 30, supported in bracket members 3|, pivotedas at 32, to the frame members In and I2, respectively. Suitablepressure screws 33, can-led by the frame members I 0 and II, arearranged to urge the platen roll upwardly into contact with the offsetroll and thereby provide a printing pressure.

The inking roller I1 is preferably a hard rubber roll and is drivinglycarried by a shaft 35, the ends of which are engaged by a yoke 36,formed in respective levers 31, which are pivotally' mounted as at 2I0to respective side frame members l and I2. The arrangement is such thatthe roll I1 may be adjusted toward or from the pattern roll I5, asdesired, by swinging the levers 31 about their respective pivots,clamping them in place by a suitable clamping bolt 40 carried by theframe and passing through slotted openings 59 in the respective levers.

The pattern roll is drivingly secured to a suitable shaft 4|, which isjournalled in upstanding brackets or arms 42 of the frame members I0 andI2. As shown in Fig. 2, each arm I has secured thereto half of a splitbearing member 43, the other halves of which are carried by bracketmembers 44, which are pivoted adjacent their lower ends'as at '45 torespective frame arms M and are bifurcated adjacent their upper ends topermit pivoted clamping studs 46, which are threadingly engaged bysuitable clamping members 41, arranged to coast with brackets 44 tomaintain. them in position relative to the frame arm 42.

As shown, the bearing members 43 are provided with openings a, Nb andHe, each opening being arranged to engage the shaft of a pattern rollhaving a different diameter. As shown in Fig. 6, the arrangement is suchthat the openings Ma, IIb and He are in a substantially straight line,which is substantially parallel with a hyperbolic curve defined by thelocus of a point equi-distant from the periphery of the offset and inkrolls I 6 and I1. This arrangement permits the removal of one patternroll and the substitution therefor of another pattern roll having adifferent diameter without changing the adjustment of the pattern rolland likewise permits the use of offset and feeding rolls of differentdiameters, which diameters are determined by functional operation oftheir respective rolls without regard to the use of a plurality ofpattern rolls.

' The various rolls are driven by a suitable motor 50. As shown inFigs.' 1 and 3, the motor 50 is drivingly connected to a gear-reductionunit and the driven shaft, 52 of which, is provided with a bevelledpinion 53 arranged to mesh with a bevelled pinion 54, drivingly securedto a shaft 55, such shaft lying in a plane passing through the axis oftheopenings Ila, Hi) and He in the patternroll bearing members 43. Theshaft 55 is .mounted in suitable bearing brackets 56 and 51 carried by aframe member I2 and is 'provided with a suitable bevelled pinion 51arranged to-mesh with a bevelled gear 58, carried by a shaft 60journalled in the frame member I2.

Mounted on the shaft 50, and drivingly connected to the bevelled gear59, is a gear 6| arranged to mesh with a pinion 62 mounted on a shaft 53journalled in the frame member I2,

- and drivingly connected with a pulley 54, which in turn, through themedium of a suitable driving belt 65, and pulleys 51 and 50, drives theink roll shaft 35 and the offset roll shaft 20 respectively,

The upper end of the shaft 55 is provided with a spline I0, arranged toengage a bevelled pinion II normally retained in a fixed position by asuitable pin 12 pasing through the hub of the pinion and a suitableopening in the shaft. The pinion II meshes with a bevelled gear I3,

which is drivingly secured to the pattern roll shaft.

When the pattern roll is removed and a pattern roll of the largestdiameter substituted therefor, the bevelled pinion II is moved upwardlyalong its shaft and the pin 12 is inserted through an opening in theshaft, corresponding to the size of the pattern roll used. The gear, asshown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, indicates the use of a pattern rollI5c, the shaft ll of which is positioned in the openings llc in thepattern roll bearing members. The pattern roll is provided with abevelled pinion 130, which meshes with the bevelled gear II, when thepin I2 is in the opening 120 on the shaft 55. The relative sizes of thegears 13c and I3 is such that the pinion 12 will drive the rolls I5 andI50 at the same peripheral speed. It will therefore be seen that thespeed of the pattern roll is controlled relative to the speed of theoffset and inking rollers, and without requiring an adjustment of themechanism which would alter in any way the speed-of any of the gearing.

As heretofore mentioned, the mechanism is especially arranged for use onan intaglio printing roll. I therefore provide a scraper or doctor blademechanism which acts to remove excess color or ink from the roll,leaving color only in the low portions or pockets of the pattern. Thedoctor blade mechanism is best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. As thereshown, the doctor blade comprises a thin metallic blade 80, which isrigidly supported in a suitable shaft SI arranged to be seated in any ofseveral recesses 82 in brackets 83, carried by respective frame membersI0 and I2. The brackets are secured to their respective frame members bysuitable bolts 84 passing through slotted openings 85 in the brackets topermit the brackets to beadjusted to carry the doctor blades toward orfrom the pattern roll. A suitable weight 86 carried by an arm 81 isrigidly secured to the doctor blade shaft 8|, and

' maintains the blade in contact with the periphery of the pattern roll.

The excess ink remaining on the offset roll I8 after the pattern hasbeen transferred to the work is removed by a scraper blade 90. Asillustrated in Fig. 1, the scraper 90 comprising a thin metallic blademounted on a shaft or bar I05, the ends of which are carried by arms 9|pivoted as at 92 to the frame and provided with suitable adjustingscrews 93 and 94, arranged to engage the frame to vary the pressure ofthe blade on the roll.

The doctor blade 80, as well as the scraper blade 90, are mounted forreciprocation relative to their respective rolls, to prevent undue wearon or scoring of the .pattem or offset rolls. As shown, the shaft 8| ofthe doctor blade 00 is mounted for reciprocation movement in thebracketmembers 83, and is provided, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, with a groovedroller 05, arranged to be engaged by a pin 96, carried by a pivoted arm91. The lever 91 also carries a pin 98, arranged to engage a cam groove5! ins.

cam I00, rigidly secured to a stub shaft III jour-' nailed in the framemember I2. The cam I00 is driven by a suitable gear I02, drivinglysecured to the stub shaft and meshing with the gear I heretoforedescribed.

The shaft of the scraper 90 is similarly moimted for reciprocation inits bearings and carries a grooved ro11er'I06 (Fig. 1) arranged to been- 75 gaged by a pin I01 carried by a pivoted lever I08. The lever I08,as shown in Fig. 3, is provided with a second pin I09 arranged to engagea cam slot H0 in a cam III carried by a stub-shaft II2 J'oumalled in theframe member I2. The shaft II2 has drivingly secured thereto a spur gearI I3 arranged to mesh with the gear 6| heretofore described, to therebydrive the cam I I0 and cause the reciprocation of the scraper blade.

Mechanism is provided to move the scraper 90 out of contact with theoffset roll I6 whenever such roll is moved out of contact with thepattern roll. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the lever 21,

which rocks the ofiset roll free from the pattern roll, is secured to ashaft 210, pivotally carried by the frame members It and I2. When theleveri'l is swung in a clockwise direction, an arm 2i I, rigidly carriedby the shaft 2I0, engages a lever 2I2 carried by the scraper roll shaftI05, rocking it against the action of a weighted arm M9 and removing thescraper from the offset roll. The inking roll I1 receives its ink from asuitable ink fountain, comprising a pan I20 which is" normally filledwith ink and in which the lower portion of the ink roller rotates. Inthe past, it has been customary to maintain the ink roller in closecontact with the pattern roll. I have, however, found that a pattern,such as an etched copper plate, has a tendency to rapidly wear anddeteriorate to such an extent that the sharp impression can no longer bemade therefrom. In

the past, this has been laid, to the action of the scraper blade ordoctor blade on the roll. However, many improvements made in such doctorblades have had little effect upon the length of the life of thepattern.

I have found that, to a great extent, the wearing away of the pattern isdue more to the rolling contact between the pattern and the inkingroller than by the scraping action of the doctdr blade upon the pattern.I therefore find that when the inking roll is moved a slight distanceaway from the pattern roll, adistance sufiicient to prevent actualsurface contact between the two rolls, the wearing of the life of thepattern roll is materially lengthened. I therefore position the inkingroll so that it is spaced from the pattern roll a dis- 531cc sufficientto prevent contact between the two rolls, and yet which distance is lessthan the thickness of the film of ink or paint picked up by the inkingroll. This provides the pattern with sufiicient ink or color and yetmaterially lengthens the life of the pattern. I therefore provide,.asshown in Fig. 7, a stop mechanism which will prevent the operator frombringing ink roll into contact with the pattern roll. As there shown,the pattern roll is extended beyond the edge of the pattern I 30, and isengaged by a disc roller I3I, drivingly secured to the ink rollshaft 35.The diameter of the roller I3I is slightly reater than the diameter ofthe ink roll. The distances have been exaggerated in the drawings tomore clearly illustrate the principle embodied therein.

Small pieces of leather and similar materials are difficult to decorate,in that they have insufllcient rigidity to permit them to be fed intothe bite of the offset and platen rolls in the same manner as metal, oreven paper, sheets are fed. I therefore have provided acomparativelysimple method of decorating such materials and haveincorporated mechanism to carry out such method as part of thedecorating machine herein illustrated.

My improved method comprises feeding a sub- 1 'securing the articles tobe decorated to this web before it enters the bite of the offset andplaten rolls, either by means of the adhesive carried by the web or bysuitable gummed wafers, and .after such articles have passed between theoffset and platen rolls I remove the article from theweb.

The web I50 may be in the form of a continuous loop, or, as shown inFigs. 1 and 2, it may be a substantially continuous web, in roll form.As illustrated, the web is drawn upwardly from a roll of material I53,carried by suitable brackets I51, and passes around a guide roll I55,supported by a table I56 and thence across the table into the bite ofthe offset and platen rolls, as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed. As the web passes across the table, the operator secures to-it the leather article indicated at W, Figs. 2 and 3, either bygumcarried by the web or adhesive coated stickers I51. Thereafter, acontinuous fabric belt I50, looped about drums IBI and I62, presses thework into intimate contact with the web and a suitable spring-pressedroll I63 urges the web and the article into intimate contact with thetable top, thereby smoothing the article and. securely fastening it tothe web.

Adjacent the forward or left-hand end of the canvas web or belt I50, Iprovide a pair of ironing rods I and HI. The rod I10, as shown in Fig.2, has an eccentric end portion I13 arranged to be clamped in adjustedposition relative to the about their pivot by suitable adjusting screwsI18v arranged to co-act with respective levers I19, secured to the shaftI11. In this way the pressure on the web may be adjusted to smooth oriron out any wrinkles in the hides or articles.

The fabric felt I50 may be driven at the same peripheral speed as theplaten roll I8. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the forward roller I6I aboutwhich the web belt I60 is looped, is provided with a pulley I80, whichis driven by a pulley I8I drivingly carried by the shaft 63, heretoforedescribed in detail.

The work pieces W are stripped from the paper web I50 after theimpressions have been made upon the article by a suitable stripper knifeI90. As shown in Fig. 1. the knife I90 comprises a thin metallic bladecarried by a table I92 from which the workpieces are taken by theoperator, or pass to a suitable conveyor I93 from any well-known type.The web I50 is thereafter wound about a suitable take-up reel I95 whichmay be frictionally driven in the usual manner by a pulley I96,frictionally connected to the take-up roll in the usual manner anddriven by a driving belt I91 from a pulley I98, carried by the shaftIII, heretofore described. 7.

From the foregoing description, it is obvious that I have provided animproved method and apparatus for decorating materials, and especiallyfor decorating small leather or similar articles, which apparatus servesto iron or smooth out the wrinkles in the articles, and thereafterdecorate the same, and I have provided an improved mechanism forcarrying out such method.

I claim:

1. In asurface decorating machine, a main frame, a transfer roll carriedby the frame, an ink roll carried by the frame, a pattern rollsupporting device carried by the frame and arranged to support aplurality of sizes of pattern rolls in contact with the transfer rolland in intimate association with the inking roll, said supporting devicearranged to retain the axes of the various sized pattern rolls in a linesubstantially parallel with a hyperbole. formed by the locus of a pointequidistant from the periphery of the transfer and inking rolls.

2. In a surface decorating machine, a main frame, a transfer rollcarried by the frame, an ink roll carried by the frame, a pattern rollsupporting device carried by the frame and adapted to support aplurality of sizes of pattern rolls in contact with the transfer rolland in intimate association with the inking roll, means to drive the inkroll and the transfer roll, means to drive the pattern roll, saidlast-named means including a shaft in a plane of a line passing throughthe locus of the axes of the pattern roll positions, said line beingsubstantially coincident with 'a hyperbolic curve defined by the locusof a point equidistant from the periphery of both the ink and offsetrolls, a driving gear slidably mounted on said shaft, and a driven geardrivingly carried by the pattern roll and removable as a unit therewith.

3. A surface decorating machine having an ink roll, a transfer roll, apattern roll mounting 'for pattern rolls of various sizes in cooperativerelationship with both the ink roll and the transfer roll, said mountingbeing provided with means

